This great adjustable reading lamp is by Israeli group DAG Design Lab. The juxtaposition of natural and unashamedly artificial materials would create a striking graphic presence on anyone’s bedroom wall. In addition, the use of a simple clamping mechanism to secure the lamp at different angles further enhances the appeal.
As part of London Design Week Judith Seng has released these new pieces which share a striking resemblance to the work of Atelier A1 which i posted earlier. Stylistically the pieces are almost identical, however on closer inspection the work of Seng celebrates the imperfections of the material rather than hiding them. For me, the Atelier A1 release seems more cohesive in terms of colour and execution but In a world of simple boxes maybe its time we celebrated the imperfections more readily?
The guys at DearDesign produce commercial interiors that resonate the ethos of the brands they display. Their recent work for Spanish fashion label Lurdes Burgada plays on ideas of the handmade to create a beautifully facetted wall element that curves its way through a warehouse like space. Each of the beech panels is individually numbered to facilitate construction but also to allude to the individual nature of each piece.
With the ubiquitous Tolix stools taking over every cafe and outdoor dining spot in Melbourne its refreshing to see a stool that offers something different. The Unexpected Guest by Mathias Hahn could prove to be the long awaited replacement this city needs. The materials are simple yet inherently robust, the form is elegant and not over cooked…all in all, a beautiful piece worthy of any morning spent sipping coffee and skimming through the paper.
Side tables are the quiet under achievers of most living room settings. This however is not to be looked upon negatively as they serve to reinforce the overall feeling of any room setting. Spin by Tomoko Azumi has a very functional aesthetic with any superfluous details negated in exchange for simple elegance. The beautifully crafted timber frame is in stark contrast to the matt white discs that intersect it but they sit together in perfect harmony.
The last post got me thinking about Konstantin Grcic’s latest Monza chair for Plank. It seems at first glance to be quite uncharacteristic of the designers work, yet upon closer inspection shares a similar industrial quality to his other pieces. Conceived as a simple wood construction based upon the classic Scandinavian model, Monza differentiatesitself through the additional plastic back piece. The stark contrast of the two materials creates a modern interpretation of what is otherwise a simple, utilitarian chair.
These amazingly detailed wood carvings are by Italian artist Gerhard Demetz. Where Ricky Swallow painstakingly replicates reality Demetz’s work seems to act as a departure from this state. His figures seem slightly macabre and twisted, rendered in poses that seem to disregard the innocence of youth in exchange for something more sinister.
Studio Mini by Anna Hadwick is a cute little desk lamp that questions “the restriction we as designers place upon a products usage, by utilising a use me how you will approach. Encouraging intuitive interaction the head can be detached with a simple twist and pull movement. Inspired by the action of changing a light bulb the lamp communicates its functionality directly to its user.” The proportions of the lamp seem to sit well in relation to each other and the simple palette of materials is cleverly offset by the bright red flex.
Spring Slippers by Willy Verginer contemporises the craft of wood carving through his highly developed ability and sublime introduction of colour and texture. The pieces he creates are typically figurative but twisted through the application of sectional colour treatments to the body.
The Skull Chair by Vladi Rapaport is both visually and technically superb. Drawing parallels to other classic moulded plywood chairs such as the Eames LCW, the Skull chair extends itself in terms of difficulty and craft. By achieving the literal appearance of a skull but with the functional requirements of a chair, Rapaport articulates this piece with great skill and precision.
